Altun Ha
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
887 reviews
Excellent
522
Very good
295
Average
58
Poor
5
Terrible
7
Kwahi J
26 contributions
Dec 2022
We had been to Chichen Itza recently, but it was great to see the Mayan architecture further south.
We hired a tour guide/taxi driver from downtown Belize City to get us around and show us around, so we may have short-changed ourselves as to the details we might have learned from a different tour guide.
There are some opportunities to get some great shots around the structures and on top of them. I found the labels of different trees to be helpful (avocado, allspice and mahoghany).
If you're not willing to do a multi-hour drive/boat ride to Lamanai or one of the ruins closer to Guatemala, this is a great option.
We hired a tour guide/taxi driver from downtown Belize City to get us around and show us around, so we may have short-changed ourselves as to the details we might have learned from a different tour guide.
There are some opportunities to get some great shots around the structures and on top of them. I found the labels of different trees to be helpful (avocado, allspice and mahoghany).
If you're not willing to do a multi-hour drive/boat ride to Lamanai or one of the ruins closer to Guatemala, this is a great option.
Written January 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndreaN
Vancouver, Canada111 contributions
Feb 2020
Spectacular ruins and a beautiful drive up there. We were surprised how big the parking lot is, but it seems cruise ship excursions go here, so maybe mind your timing. We arrived around noon and had the place to ourselves! Amazing ruins and grounds, all accessible and in good shape. Definitely worth a visit!
There's also a little "museum", gift shops (very nice ladies and not pushy), small convenience store and one or two restaurants.
There's also a little "museum", gift shops (very nice ladies and not pushy), small convenience store and one or two restaurants.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra W
Columbus, OH65 contributions
Dec 2022
I don't have a lot to say about our visit to Altun Ha that others haven't also said. The ruins are easy to drive to from the Belize City/Ladyville area. Its free to park. There are a lot of tour buses that come in there from cruise ships. If you are lucky you can avoid one of those so you get good photos without a ton of people in them.
The ruins are cool. The last time we visited Altun Ha was 1996 and we can tell the excavations seem a little fuller now when we compare this trips photos from our old photos. Some of the ruins have stairs so you can climb up to the top of them.
We had no guide this time. We had a driver and guide when we did it back in 96. There were guides around with clients and it was clear we could have paid and joined their tour if we had wanted.
There are a few ponds - one close to the ruins and one a short walk south of the site on a path. We saw basilisk lizards near both ponds. Very cool.
We were staying in Burrell Boom and were able to knock this trip out in the morning, and still had the afternoon free to do something else.
Theres a lot of tourism stuff near the entrance of Altun Ha. There was an obnoxious restaurant/shop with a woman yelling at tourists to come on over, and playing very loud music. We avoided that one - and bought lunch at the Mayan Sunrise instead. It was an affordable and tasty typical Belizean meal. We had chicken with beans and rice, and a Belikin.
Oh, the womens restroom at the entrance of the ruins also had someone handing out towels for drying your hands, and looking for tips. My husband said the mens room was not like this. If you plan to use the ladies room, you might wish you have a few coins available (US or BZE) to give her.
The ruins are cool. The last time we visited Altun Ha was 1996 and we can tell the excavations seem a little fuller now when we compare this trips photos from our old photos. Some of the ruins have stairs so you can climb up to the top of them.
We had no guide this time. We had a driver and guide when we did it back in 96. There were guides around with clients and it was clear we could have paid and joined their tour if we had wanted.
There are a few ponds - one close to the ruins and one a short walk south of the site on a path. We saw basilisk lizards near both ponds. Very cool.
We were staying in Burrell Boom and were able to knock this trip out in the morning, and still had the afternoon free to do something else.
Theres a lot of tourism stuff near the entrance of Altun Ha. There was an obnoxious restaurant/shop with a woman yelling at tourists to come on over, and playing very loud music. We avoided that one - and bought lunch at the Mayan Sunrise instead. It was an affordable and tasty typical Belizean meal. We had chicken with beans and rice, and a Belikin.
Oh, the womens restroom at the entrance of the ruins also had someone handing out towels for drying your hands, and looking for tips. My husband said the mens room was not like this. If you plan to use the ladies room, you might wish you have a few coins available (US or BZE) to give her.
Written January 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nicole s
North Wilkesboro250 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
We visited these ruins on an excursion while cruising with Viking. Ivor was our bus-tour guide on our way there. He was great. He was very educated and knowledgeable about his great Island. Once we arrived, Ivor handed us off to a local, who gave us a very personal guided tour around the grounds. The ruins were impressive and well preserved. The locals obviously take great pride in sharing this site and the history behind it with the tourists. Just outside the ruins are shops where the locals offer lots of wooden carvings and souvenirs. There were also a couple of places to grab a beer that Ivor allowed us to bring back on the bus. The bathrooms at this site are very nice and include an attendant.
Written December 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TwoCanuckExpats
Maui, HI60 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Went there on a Saturday and it was very quiet. The guy at the gate gave a great tip that the cruise ships come on Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday so it is best to avoid these days. Climbed all the ruins and took the 10 minute walk to the pond. Not much to see at the pond but a nice walk.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D I A J
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Friends
Me and my friend enjoyed our time at Altun Ha in Belize. Our tour guide, Ngozi Kalu, was extremely knowledgeable & passionate about Belize. She was very excited to teach us everything about the history and current events in this beautiful country. She even brought laminated photographs for us to see images of important animals, plants, people and culture in Belize. She knew that our day was going to be hot and long, so she provided water for us to drink as we explored the Mayan Ruins. That was very thoughtful of her, as my friend and I forgot to bring water for our hike. We loved Altun Ha, but it was a great experience because of Ngozi! We definitely want to go back to Altun Ha and we will be requesting Ngozi as our tour guide! Thank you again, Ngozi!!
Written June 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TimeshareVon
Milwaukee, WI9,315 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
We did the ship's offering of this archeological site in Belize. It was very interesting, especially given these ruins were only discovered in the 1960's. Our group was met at the cruise port and taken by large motor coach to the site. There, we were greeted by a local guide, who took us through the grounds, sharing the story of those who once lived here. The grounds are relatively small, and you can climb one of the temple structures if you are so inclined. Also onsite are a few local craft vendors and people selling packaged fruits and baked goods. We enjoyed lunch in the restaurant located in the parking lot . . . it was really good . . . chicken with rice & beans and cole slaw.
Written February 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raroboy
Canada533 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Some of the ruins are excavated and some not. Best views are from the top of each temple. Unforgettable views. Preservation is being done with new stairways to the top. You can navigate through the cruise ship crowds easy enough.
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BelliciousB
Nuremberg, Germany68 contributions
Feb 2019
We were there on a private tour and arrived well before the cruise ship passengers came. In other words, we had the entire site for us for most of the time. That was really special.
You're allowed to climb the ruins which is awesome. It's an amazing feeling when you're standing on top of the temples overlooking the site and the jungle.
They also have a small exhibition about the history of the site and souvenirs shops. Locals also offer fresh fruit, coconut, juices and chips which were delicious.
You're allowed to climb the ruins which is awesome. It's an amazing feeling when you're standing on top of the temples overlooking the site and the jungle.
They also have a small exhibition about the history of the site and souvenirs shops. Locals also offer fresh fruit, coconut, juices and chips which were delicious.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
parrottdize
Dyer, IN2,375 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
If you don't want a long bus ride, than these ruins are for you: unfortunately because pf that, it can get crowded with cruise tours. Still, it is a interesting site with a interesting history.
As others have said, there are structures that you can climb (of course at your own risk).
As others have said, there are structures that you can climb (of course at your own risk).
Written April 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I’m travelling on a cruise and I’m planing to rent a car to go from downtown is it enough time ? The ruins are about an hour away from the city . My second questions is if there is any entrence fee ? Do I have to adquiere a tour to get it or can I just get there driving ?
Written November 28, 2022
According to alltrails website, the admission is $5 U.S./$10 Belizean. As I took a tour to Altun Ha, I can't personally verify this information. Good luck.
Written November 30, 2022
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